Torpedo Boobs!!!

The new and “improved” ME!! I got a Uniquely You dress form. J loved it also but for different reasons:

1. look at those boobs!!
2. she doesn’t talk back
3. she doesn’t spend any money!!!!

I stopped talking to him after that….she and I are getting along great…although I was amazed at her boobage – how in the hell was I going to stuff those into the cover and look like mine? Apparently they are really smooshy and fit just fine. I had a friend help with the fitting and while doing that, we marked all the important parts on the cover such as the neckline, hollow of my throat, waist, hip (high and low). This will make fitting so efficient – I won’t say easy but efficient!! Plus now I can set her up in the window to freak out the neighbors.

I currently have my Claire Schaeffer muslin on her so I can remember what I still need to do before next class on Sunday.

I’m so happy….but I still need to name her….hmm…..

Jalie 2787

Ok, I have done two Jalie tops….both are poly knit from Gorgeous Fabrics (I believe…I mean, I’m sure they are!) The short sleeve version was straight out of the plastic wrap and is a size S.

The sleeveless version had some mods….

• shortened length by 3″
• combined a front piece with the bodice piece to make front just 2 pieces rather than 3

I did use a twin needle on both tops to finish all edges and constructed it with my serger. These went together WAY fast!! One thing I did learn, well two things, how to thread my machine PROPERLY for a twin needle AND how to use strips of OESD Badgemaster as my stabilizer under the twin needle stitching. Worked like a dream then went down the drain. My stitches were skipping or I was getting thread nests so I ended up calling my friend who has done anything and everything with a sewing machine. His advice, “try badgemaster.” Well ok…I had some….especially since it is perfect for making thread lace and well, I embroider too.

Badgemaster Embroidery Stabilizer
Badge Master is a very heavyweight water soluble stabilizer. It can be used as a stand alone stabilizer or for backing in situations where the backing needs to disappear completely.

it’s not pretty but here is the suit…on me.

Don’t scream!! (I know, I know..I am so WHITE!! AND well padded!! LOL!) That’s what living in Alaska is all about…white skin – so hopefully no skin cancer!!

Swimsuit performance

So yea…I did make a swimsuit for vacation…and you’ll never believe it…it stayed on in the pool!! (I know you are saying, well of course, that is what it is supposed to do…well, I had minimal faith in my first swimsuit and am now pleasantly surprised!)

Vacation fabric shopping….

Ok, not as lucrative as the Europe stash but I did find some stuff….

Here are the places I visited:
Calico Cat and Bernina Too – Auburn, WA (quilt store)
Nancy’s Sewing Basket – Queen Anne, WA (fashion fabrics, even designer with prices to match!)
QuiltWorks Northwest – Bellevue, WA (quilt and bead store)
Fabrications – Healdsburg, CA (quilt store)
Material Girl – Santa Rosa, CA (quilt store)

All in all…I did pretty good…no pics as I put everything away as soon as I got home but you’ll see stuff made soon, I’m sure….

In process…..

A couple things going on….working on a t-shirt quilt for a friend. The cat is assisting….
The silk chiffon is still not done. I am trying to make the Kwik Sew 3505 pattern with it. Yea…so this doesn’t do well for being serged so will need to just do a small zig zag stitch to put it together. Good lesson in playing with silk and patience!
Got a couple others I am working on. V1420 (red/white striped version) is coming along. Just need to add cuffs, collar, and buttonholes/buttons, oh yea, and hem it.

Vogue 1420
Copyright 1994

Vogue Attitudes pattern rated average. Misses shirts: very loose-fitting shirt has collar variations, extended shoulders, front bands, yoke with forward shoulder seams, back tucks, stitched hem facings and long sleeves with pleats, placket and button cuffs. A: fitted through waist, contrast collar, collar band and cuffs, side front seams and shaped hemline. B: collar band. C: contrast collar and cuffs. B,C: wrap, front pleats and tie ends.

A shirt pattern designed by Byron Lars.

Couple changes I had to make:

1. used size 8 rather than the size for my bust as this is VERY loose-fitting
2. added 1″ to center back on the yoke to put shoulders in the right place
3. did 2 small pleats on back piece to fit to yoke
4. make french cuffs
5. omitted the hem facing

I thought for sure, based on the picture that I’d have to raise the collar because it seems to fall so low BUT with making a size 8, it is perfect!!! Can’t wait to see the finished product!!

I am also working on the Claire Scheaffer jacket from my last post. I, again, am in a situation where I did not have the pattern size to fit my bust measurement. I got the pattern (V8333) at the last Joann’s sale ($3.99 each plus 10% discount for being an American Sewing Guild member). I picked it up on my last day of work before getting on a plane for vacation so could only go to the Joann’s by my house. Well, they only had the 6-8-10 size pattern; I needed the 12-14-16 pattern. Based on the envelope, I should be making a size 12. Well…I gambled and decided to get the 6-8-10 and just grade up. How hard can it be?! Besides, I was hours away from vacation!

Somebody must be looking out for me. A size 10 finished bust is 35″ and I measured a 34″ bust plus I am petite – a nicer way of saying, I’m short – all over…..thanks mom.

So I did the tissue fit…and Dawn says to me as I am walking away with Linda (the instructor), “oh now we get to see what kind of freak you are.” Well, here is what kind of freak I am:

• size 10 looks great
• waist is in the right place
• bust point is in the right place
• shoulders fit right
• length is great
• add 1″ from stitching line on the side front, side, and side back pieces

That’s it!! (I am sure Dawn hates me now..I not only knowingly bought the wrong size pattern but I seem to have a theme here – buy Vogue too small and it will fit.)

So during all this other stuff I am doing, I am DYING to cut out and make Jalie 2787 in the sleeveless version. So, I think I’ll be sewing the entire weekend…maybe even cutting out a bit early tomorrow!! (I. LOVE. WORKING. FROM. HOME.)